The Pantheon
The Pantheon is a temple built by the roman's to worship the roman gods, its name also means "all gods". Standing at 46 meters tall, the Pantheon is the most well preserved structure that came from ancient Rome. It was built between 118 and 125 AD, Emperor Hadrian ordered the Pantheon to be built, because he wanted to replace Augustus' friend and commander Marcus Agrippa's Pantheon from 27 BC which had burned to the ground in 80 AD. The inscription from the original Pantheon is also on Emperor Hadrian's Pantheon, it reads: "M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COSTERTIUM.FECIT". This means "Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius, having been consul three times made". The reason Hadrian's name wasn't on the building or any others he ordered was because his name was inscribed to his fathers temple and only his fathers temple.
The most fascinating part of the Pantheon is its architecture. The dome has eight rows of arches in a circle, it was built like that so you would look at the bottom series of arches first, then the next highest and so on, this dragged you eyes to look at the oculus at the top. Also they used heavy materials at the bottom of the dome and it go lighter towards the top. The oculus is the biggest in ancient roman history. it is still lined with the original bronze and it is still the main source of light. The oculus was never covered but the roman's had a system if it rained, the floor was curved outwards slightly so the rain flowed to a still functioning roman drainage pipes.
The purpose of the Pantheon is not certain, but the name, porch and pediment say that it is a temple to the gods. It may also have been a place where the Emperor could make public appearances and to show that he is equal to the gods. It is known that it was dedicated to Marcus Agrippa.
The Pantheon is significant today because of its architecture, the way the Pantheon is made still awes architects today with the use of techniques and simple geometry genius. Buildings today were inspired by the Pantheon including the Jefferson memorial and US capitol. It has also been the tomb for two Italian kings (Vittorio Emanuele II & Umberto I) and a famous painter (Raphael). Culturally the Pantheon has been a roman temple to the gods, a Pagan temple and a Christian church.
The most fascinating part of the Pantheon is its architecture. The dome has eight rows of arches in a circle, it was built like that so you would look at the bottom series of arches first, then the next highest and so on, this dragged you eyes to look at the oculus at the top. Also they used heavy materials at the bottom of the dome and it go lighter towards the top. The oculus is the biggest in ancient roman history. it is still lined with the original bronze and it is still the main source of light. The oculus was never covered but the roman's had a system if it rained, the floor was curved outwards slightly so the rain flowed to a still functioning roman drainage pipes.
The purpose of the Pantheon is not certain, but the name, porch and pediment say that it is a temple to the gods. It may also have been a place where the Emperor could make public appearances and to show that he is equal to the gods. It is known that it was dedicated to Marcus Agrippa.
The Pantheon is significant today because of its architecture, the way the Pantheon is made still awes architects today with the use of techniques and simple geometry genius. Buildings today were inspired by the Pantheon including the Jefferson memorial and US capitol. It has also been the tomb for two Italian kings (Vittorio Emanuele II & Umberto I) and a famous painter (Raphael). Culturally the Pantheon has been a roman temple to the gods, a Pagan temple and a Christian church.
Location
Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome, Italy The Pantheon is in Rome, Italy and is West from the Forum Romanum. |